Keyholders



Oct. 18, 1966 R. T. DEANE KEYHOLDERS Filed Aug. 5, 1964 INVENTOR: RlCHARD TEASDALE DEANE BY wad ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,279,009 KEYHOLDERS Richard Teasdale Deane, Manchester, England, assignor to Air Reduction Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 386,953 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Aug. 9, 1963, 31,466/ 63 6 Claims. (Cl. 24-'--3) The present invention concerns key holders of the type wherein a key is retained in a compartment by being gripped therein.

One object of the invention'is the provision of a novel form of key holder which is adapted to attach a key'in a convenient manner to a strap or the like.

According to the present invention there is provided a key holder, of the type wherein a key is retained in a compartment by'being gripped therein, comprising a U- shaped spring of resilient strip material adapted to accommodate and grip at least one key between-its limbs, one of the limbs being provided with attachment means for attaching the U-shaped spring to a strap.

The attachment means may comprise an extension of the limb of the U-shaped spring turned back to provide between the extension and the limb, a strap gripping clip. The extension may have an integrally formed lip at its free end extending toward and normally making contact with the limb whereby a normally closed loop is provided by the extension, lip and limb for acceptance of a strap or the like.

Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise a buckle for a strap or may be formed with a supplementary attachment enabling a buckle or like fastener to beconnected directly to the key holder. The attachment means may comprise or the attachment means and the supplementary attachment may together comprise, two pairs of lugs, each pair of whichis attached to or is integral with a respective longitudinal side of one of the limbs, there being a pin mounted in and extending between the lugs of each pair of lugs.

The spring may be of a simple U-shape with partition pieces dividing the space between the limbs thereof into compartments, or the spring may have a plurailty of limbs forming an adjacent series of U-shaped clips. These forms of construction enable the keyholder to be used to contain a plurailty of keys.

Dimples may be provided on the limbs of the U-shaped clip or clips for locating a key or keys in the keyholder. A dimple may be provided for engaging in'and locating the eye of a key and dimples may "be provided for locating the body of a key against lateral displacement.

The present invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to various embodiments of key holders according to the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodim'ent'of key holder according to'thepre'sent invention in position on a strap, and containing akey;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of the key holder of FIG. 1 without the strap or the key; 7

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a double key-holder according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the keyholder of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of another embodiment of a single keyholder according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the keyholder of-FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of another embodiment of keyholder according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of yet another embodiment of key-holder according to the present invention; and

"ice

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of keyholder according to the present invention.

Referring now to the embodiment of keyholder illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the keyholder comprises a strip of springmaterial, made of metal or any tough plastic, formed into three substantially parallel limbs 10, 11 and 12. The first limb 10 has an out-turned lip'13 and is substantially half the length of the second limb 11 to which it is'c-onnected by a looped U-shaped bend 14. In the relaxed position of the holder (see FIG. 2) the two'limbs 10and 11 converge slightly but they are substantially parallel when a key 15 is mounted in the holder (see FIG. 1).

A dimple 16 is provided on the second limb 11, clear of the lip 13 of the first limb 10 and extending outwardly from the face of the second limb 11 adjacent the first limb 10. This dimple 16 is part-spherical and engages in the eye 17 of the key 15 when the key 151's mounted inthe holder (see FIG. 1). V

The third limb 12 is substantially half the length of the second limb 11 and connects therewith by an integral'U-shaped bend 18 at the dimple end of the second limb 11. Here again the second and third limbs 11 and 12 converge slightly away from the U-shaped bend 18 in the relaxed condition of the holder (see FIG. 2) but are substantially parallel when the holder is in position on a strap 19 (see FIG. 1). Such strap 19 passes between the second and third limbs 11 and 12, being partially gripped therebetween, and the third limb 12' is provided with an underturned lip 20 extending toward the second limb 11 to prevent disengagement of the holder from the strap 19 in the direction of the U-shaped bend 18.

As already stated the dimple 16 engages in the eye 17 of a key 15 and the body 21 of the key 15 is gripped in the U-shaped 'clip provided by the first and second limbs 10 and 11.

It will be apparent that this form of holder can be used to secure an ignition or other key to the strap of a wrist watch in such a way that the holder and key fit snugly against the wrist.

Referring to FIGS; 3 and 4, it will be seen that provision can be made for mounting two keys by forming a unitary keyholder which comprises two keyholders as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 integrally formed side by side.

With this form of holder, the two keys can be mounted side by side and to maintain their relative positions. A11 elongate dimple 22 is provided centrally of the second limb 11, extending outwardly therefrom toward the first limb'10, .10.

Referring, to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the dimple 16 for engaging the eye 17 of the key 15 can be made rectangular in cross-section for use with a key having a rectangular eye, and in fact can have virtually any cross-section to correspond to the shape of the eye ofa key. The advantage of having dimples and eyes of non-circular cross-section is that their interaction tends to restrain a key from rotation with respect to the holder when it is engaged therein.

To assist with the prevention of rotation, upstanding dimples or lugs 23, 24 may be provided at the sides of the second limb 11 in the region of the first limb 10 and extending theretowar'cls. These dimples or lugs 23, 24 prevents the body 21 of the key 15 from passing through the otherwise open sides of the keyholder.

Referring to FIG; 7, wherein is illustrated another embodiment of keyholder for two keys, it will be seen that the holder comprises substantially all of the holder of FIGS. 1 and 2 save for the'under-turned lip 20.

However, the third limb 12 is integrally connected to a fourth substantially parallel limb 25 by a U-shaped bend 26. A second dimple 27 is formed on the second limb 11, at the opposite end thereof with respect to the dimple 16 and extending in the opposite direction. The free end of the fourth limb 25 is formed with an outturned lip 28.

With this form of key holder, one key is retained between the first and second limbs 10 and 11, its eye 17 being engaged by the dimple 16 and a second key is retained between the second and third limbs 11 and 12,its eye 17 being retained by the second dimple 27. The strap is gripped between the third and fourth limbs 12 and 25. In this way, the two keys lie one over the other facing in opposite directions.

The dimples 16 and 27 are pressed out of the strip and .the strip, in its outer limbs may be angled toward the central axis thereof in order to strengthen the corresponding limbs.

Referring now to FIG. 8, another form of keyholder constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a U-shaped spring of strip material comprising a back limb 30 and a front limb -31.

Integral with and on each side of the back limb 30 are a respective pair of lugs 32, 33; 34 and 35.

The lugs 32, 33; 34, 35 of each pair are spaced apart and are provided with a respective central aperture which accommodates a respective end of a pin 36, 37 such that each pin 36, 37 is held between the lugs 32, 33; 34, 35 parallel to the respective side of the back limb.

An end of a wristwatch strap 38 is fastened around the pin 37 in the usual manner, and the other pin ,36 serves to locate a buckle 39 such that the other end of the strap 38 can be fastened thereto. The free or surplus portion of the fastened strap 38 is brought over the front limb 31 and is tucked into a leather loop 40, on the strap 38 adjacent the holder, in the usual manner.

The limbs 30, 31 are close together and define between them a compartment into which a key can be inserted and will be gripped between the limbs. The front limb 31 is shorter than the back limb 30 so that when in use, with the back limb 30 against the users wrist, the user has easy access to the key.

The back limb 30 is almost the same length as a usual flat key for a household barrel type of lock. A dimple 41 is provided on the back limb 30 for engag ing the eye of a key.

In use, such a keyholder is very inconspicuous and the key container therein is safe, convenient to use, and is always to hand. Also, such a holder is light and very easily manufactured.

It is possible to construct the lugs 32, 33; 34, 35 at such a position with respect to the back limb 30, that the pins 36, 37 act as the buckle securing two free strap ends between themselves and the back limb 30, at the same time positioning the body of the key as do the dimples or lugs 23, 24 (see FIGS. and 6).

Referring to FIG. 9, it will be seen that a keyholder of the kind illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be modified to contain two keys if turned up lugs 50 are formed at each side of the limb 11 to close the open sides of the U-shaped bend 14. These lugs are provided with apertures for the reception of a pin 51 located axially of the U-shaped bend and a leaf 52 is mounted by one end about the pin 51.

This leaf 52 lies between the limbs and 11, and is longer than limb 10 but shorter than limb 11. A dimple 53, similar to dimple 16 is provided on the leaf 52 toward the free end thereof, facing in the same direction as the dimple 16.

In use a key, normally the longer key, is contained between the limb 11 and the leaf 52 with its eye 17 engaged by the dimple 16 and the other or shorter key is contained between the leaf 52 and the limb 10 with its eye 17 engaged by the dimple 53.

I claim:

1. A keyholder of the type wherein a key is retained in a compartment by being gripped therein comprising; a U-shaped spring of resilient strip material defining a clip having a first limb and a second limb, flanges being provided on said second limb at the edges thereof extending towards said first limb over substantially the major portion of the length of said first limb and closing the open sides of the clip, a pin mounted axially of the bend of the clip and located in apertures in said flanges, and a leaf mounted on said pin and lying between said first and second limbs defining with said first and second limbs, two compartments.

2. A keyholder according to claim- 1 including strap attachment means on one of said first and second limbs for attaching said clip to a strap.

3. A keyholder according to claim 1 including strap attachment means on one of said first and second limbs for attaching said clip to a strap and buckle means on one of said first and second limbs for engaging the strap.

4. A keyholder according to claim 1 including an extension on one of said first and second limbs, a third limb on said extension, said third limb being turned back remote from said other of said first and second limbs, a lip formed integrally with said third limb at the free end thereof extending towards and normally making contact with the other of said first and second limbs to provide a normally closed loop for gripping a strap;

therein.

5. A keyholder of the type wherein a key is retained I in a compartment by being gripped therein comprising; a U-shaped spring of resilient strip material defining a clip having a first limb and a second limb, flanges being provided on said second limb at the edges thereof extending towards said first limb over substantially the ma- 1 jor portion of the length of said first limb and closing the open sides of the clip, a pin mounted axially of the bend of the clip and engaged in apertures in said flanges, and a leaf mounted on said pin and lying between said first and second limbs.

6. A keyholder of the type wherein a key is retained in a compartment by being gripped therein comprising; a U-shaped spring of resilient strip material defining a clip having a first limb and a second limb, flanges be-;

ing provided on said second limb at the edges thereof extending towards said first limb over substantially the major portion of the length of said first limb and closing the open sides of the clip, a pin mounted axially of the bend of the clip and located in apertures in said flanges, a leaf mounted on said pin and lying between said first and second limbs, and dimples provided on one of said first and second limbs for locating a key in said com-,

partment against lateral displacement.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A KEYHOLDER OF THE TYPE WHEREIN THE KEY IS RETAINED IN A COMPARTMENT BY BEING GRIPPED THEREIN COMPRISING; A U-SHAPED SPRING OF RESILIENT STRIP MATERIAL DEFINING A CLIP HAVING A FIRST LIMB AND A SECOND LIMB, FLANGES BEING PROVIDED ON SAID SECOND LIMB AT THE EDGES THEREOF EXTENDING TOWARDS SAID FIRST LIMB OVER SUBSTANTIALLY THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE LENGTH OF SAID FIRST LIMB AND CLOSING THE OPEN SIDES OF THE CLIP, A PIN MOUNTED AXIALLY OF THE BEND OF THE CLIP AND LOCATED IN APERTURES IN SAID FLANGES, AND A LEAF MOUNTED ON SAID PIN AND LYING BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND LIMBS DEFINING WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND LIMBS, TWO COMPARTMENTS. 